Rotary input mechanism for an electronic device

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This patent application is a continuation patent application ofPCT/US2014/040728, filed Jun. 3, 2014, and titled “Rotary InputMechanism for an Electronic Device,” which claims priority to PCTApplication No. PCT/US2013/045264, filed Jun. 11, 2013, and titled“Rotary Input Mechanism for an Electronic Device,” the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices and, morespecifically, to input devices for computing devices.

BACKGROUND

Many types of electronic devices, such as smart phones, gaming devices,computers, watches, and the like, use input devices, such as buttons orswitches to receive user input. However, the enclosure for the devicesincludes an aperture or other opening to allow the button or switch (orother selectable item) to move. These apertures allow water, air, andother environmental items to enter into the enclosure and potentiallydamage the internal electronics. Additionally, many input devices, suchas buttons or switches, may allow for a single type of input. Forexample, actuating a button may transmit one type of signal, which isgenerated by compressing a dome switch that completes a circuit. Aselectronic devices reduce in size, it may be desirable to have fewerinput buttons or devices, without reducing functionality or the numberof input types that can be used by a user to provide information to adevice.

SUMMARY

One example of the present disclosure includes a wearable electronicdevice. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having asidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a processingelement housed within the enclosure, a sensing element in communicationwith the processing element, and an input device at least partiallyreceived within the button aperture and in communication with thesensing element, the input device configured to receive at least a firstand a second type of user input. Generally, the sensing element isoperative to track a movement of the input button and output a signaland the processing element is operative to distinguish between the firstand second type of user input, based on the signal.

Another example of the disclosure includes a watch. The watch includes ahub or watch face. The hub includes a processor, a sensing element, anda crown. The crown includes a trackable element and the sensing elementis configured to sense movement of the crown by tracking the movementsof the trackable element. The watch also includes a strap connected tothe hub and configured to wrap around a portion of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a wearable electronic device including amulti-input device.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the wearable electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the wearable electronic device takenalong line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a crown or input button of the wearableelectronic device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the wearable electronic device takenalong line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the input button including a firstexample of a retention component.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the input button including a second exampleof a retention component.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the wearable device including twosensing elements positioned within the cavity of the enclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of an example of an input button with thetrackable element configured to detect movement of the shaft.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view the wearable device including anotherexample of the sensing element and trackable element.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of an input button including anelectrical connection between the enclosure and internal components ofthe wearable device and the input button.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the input button including an inputsensor.

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the input buttonincluding a switch sensor positioned parallel to the stem.

FIG. 13B is a cross-section view of the input button illustrated in FIG.13A with a force being applied to the head.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the input buttonillustrated in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the input button including a motor.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the input button including an inputsensor connected to the head.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the input button of FIG. 16including apertures defined through the head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments herein, a wearable electronic device including amulti-input button is disclosed. The wearable electronic device may be awatch, portable music player, health monitoring device, computing orgaming device, smart phone, or the like. In some embodiments, thewearable electronic device is a watch that can be worn around the wristof a user. In embodiments, the multi-input button forms a crown for thewatch and is connected to a sidewall of an enclosure for the device. Themulti-input button can be pressed to input a first type of input and canbe rotated to input a second type of input. Additionally, in someinstances, the button can be pressed on or off axis to activate a thirdinput.

In a specific implementation, the wearable device includes a rotaryencoder to detect rotation of the multi-input button, as well as asensor that receives non-rotational type inputs. In one embodiment, thewearable device includes an enclosure and a flange or head extendingfrom the enclosure. The head or crown is connected to a spindle or stem,which is received within the enclosure and a trackable element orencoder is attached to a bottom end of the spindle. The head extendsfrom the enclosure and as the head is rotated, such as due to a userturning the head, the trackable element on the bottom of the stemrotates, passing over a rotary sensor contained within the enclosure.The rotary sensor senses movement of the stem and the head.Additionally, the stem may be movably (e.g., slidably) connected to theenclosure such that the user can press the head and the stem can move apredetermined distance. In this example, a switch (such as a tactileswitch) or a sensor, can detect vertical or horizontal movement of thestem. In this manner, the multi-input button can detect rotationalinputs, as well as compression-type inputs.

The stem and other portions of the multi-input button may includesealing members, such as O-rings, seal cups, or membrane seals that sealcertain components of the wearable device from environmental elements,such as water. The stem and the enclosure aperture may be selected suchthat the stem may move within the enclosure without breaking the seal orotherwise creating a flow pathway into the internal component heldwithin the enclosure. As an example, the stem may have a slightlysmaller diameter than the enclosure aperture and an O-ring may bereceived around the stem within the enclosure aperture. In this example,the O-ring is a compressible material, such as foam, that can becompressed when a user exerts a force. As one side of the O-ringcompresses due to the user force, the other side can expand to increase,maintain a seal of the enclosure aperture around the stem. This allowsthe stem to move within the enclosure diameter, without unsealing apathway into the enclosure.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the multi-input button can beactuated to provide haptic feedback to a user. For example, inembodiments where the stem is movable within the enclosure a device,such as an actuator, may move the stem. When actuated, the stem mayselectively move the head to provide feedback to a user.

Turning now to the figures, an illustrative wearable electronic devicewill now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 1 is a top plan view of awearable electronic device. FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of thewearable electronic device of FIG. 1. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2,the wearable electronic device 100 may include a hub 102 or computingcenter or element. In embodiments where the electronic device 100 isconfigured to be worn by a user, the device 100 may include one or morestraps 104, 106 that may connect to opposite sides of the hub 102. Eachof the straps 104, 106 may wrap around a portion of a wrist, arm, leg,chest, or other portion of a user's body to secure the hub 102 to theuser. For example, the ends of each of the straps 104, 106 may beconnected together by a fastening mechanism 108. The fastening mechanism108 can be substantially any type of fastening device, such as, but notlimited, to, as lug, hook and loop structure, magnetic fasteners, snaps,buttons, clasps or the like. However, in one embodiment, such as the oneshown in FIG. 1, the fastening mechanism 108 is a buckle including aprong 134 or element that can be inserted into one or more apertures 112in the second strap 106 to secure the first and second straps 104, 106together.

The hub 102 of the wearable electronic device generally contains thecomputing and processing elements of the wearable electronic device 100.FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section view of the hub 102 taken along line3-3 in FIG. 1. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the hub 102 may include adisplay 116 at least partially surrounded by an enclosure 114. In someembodiments, the display 116 may form a face of the hub 102 and theenclosure 114 may abut the edges and/or a portion of the backside of thedisplay 116. Additionally, the internal components of the wearabledevice 100 may be contained within the enclosure 114 between the display116 and the enclosure 114. The enclosure 114 protects the internalcomponents of the hub 102, as well as connects the display 116 to thehub 102.

The enclosure 114 may be constructed out of a variety of materials, suchas, but not limited to, plastics, metals, alloys, and so on. Theenclosure 114 includes a button aperture 172 (see FIG. 3) to receive theinput button 110 or a portion thereof. The button aperture 172 forms achannel within a sidewall 188 of the enclosure 114 and extends from anouter surface 188 of the enclosure 114 to an interior surface 190. Thebutton aperture 172 generally is configured to correspond to asize/shape of, or accept, a stem or spindle of the input button 110.That said, the button aperture 172 may be otherwise shaped and sized.

The enclosure 114 may also include a groove 186 defined on a top surfaceto receive the display 116. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the display116 may be connected to the enclosure 114 through adhesive or otherfastening mechanisms. In this example, the display is seated within arecessed portion or groove of the enclosure and the enclosure extends atleast partially around the edges of the display and may be fastened oraffixed thereto, but may leave at least a portion of the rear of thedisplay free or unsupported by the housing. However, in otherembodiments, the display and enclosure may be otherwise connectedtogether.

The display 116 may be substantially any type of display screen ordevice that can provide a visual output for the wearable device 100. Asan example, the display 116 may be a liquid crystal display, a lightemitting diode display, or the like. Additionally, the display 116 mayalso be configured to receive a user input, such as a multi-touchdisplay screen that receives user inputs through capacitive sensingelements. In many embodiments, the display 116 may be dynamicallyvariable; however, in other embodiments, the display 116 may be anon-electronic component, such as a painted faceplate, that may notdynamically change.

The display 116 may show a plurality of icons 118, 120 or other graphicsthat are selectively modifiable. As an example, a first graphic 118 mayinclude a time graphic that changes its characters to represent the timechanges, e.g., numbers to represent hours, minutes, and seconds. Asecond graphic 120 may include a notification graphic, such as, batterylife, messages received, or the like. The two graphics 118, 120 may bepositioned substantially anywhere on the display 116 and may be variedas desired. Additionally, the number, size, shape, and othercharacteristics of the graphics 118, 120 may be changed as well.

The input button 110 extends from and attaches to or passes through theenclosure 114. The input button 110 will be discussed in more detailbelow, but generally allows a user to provide input to the wearableelectronic device 100, as well as optionally provide haptic feedback toa user.

With reference to FIG. 2, the wearable electronic device includes aplurality of internal processing or computing elements. For example, thewearable electronic device 100 may include a power source 122, one ormore processing elements 124, a memory component 128, one or moresensors 126, and an input/output component 130. Each of the internalcomponents may be received within the enclosure 114 and may be incommunication through one or more systems buses 132, traces, printedcircuit boards, or other communication mechanisms.

The power source 122 provides power to the hub 102 and other componentsof the wearable device 100. The power source 122 may be a battery orother portable power element. Additionally, the power source 122 may berechargeable or replaceable.

The processing element 124 or processor is substantially any type ofdevice that can receive and execute instructions. For example, theprocessing element 124 may be a processor, microcomputer, processingunit or group of processing units or the like. Additionally, theprocessing element 124 may include one or more processors and in someembodiments may include multiple processing elements.

The one or more sensors 126 may be configured to sense a number ofdifferent parameters or characteristics that may be used to influenceone or more operations of the wearable electronic device 100. Forexample, the sensors 126 may include accelerometers, gyroscopes,capacitive sensors, light sensors, image sensors, pressure or forcesensors, or the like. As will be discussed in more detail below, one ormore of the sensors 126 may be used in conjunction with the input button110 or separate therefrom, to provide user input to the hub 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the memory component 128 storeselectronic data that may be utilized by the wearable device 100. Forexample, the memory component 128 may store electrical data or contente.g., audio files, video files, document files, and so on, correspondingto various applications. The memory 128 may be, for example,non-volatile storage, a magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium,magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory, random access memory,erasable programmable memory, or flash memory.

The input/output interface 130 may receive data from a user or one ormore other electronic devices. Additionally, the input/output interface130 may facilitate transmission of data to a user or to other electronicdevices. For example, the input/output interface 130 may be used toreceive data from a network, or may be used to send and transmitelectronic signals via a wireless or wired connection (Internet, WiFi,Bluetooth, and Ethernet being a few examples). In some embodiments, theinput/output interface 130 may support multiple network or communicationmechanisms. For example, the network/communication interface 130 maypair with another device over a Bluetooth network to transfer signals tothe other device, while simultaneously receiving data from a WiFi orother network.

The input button 110 will now be discussed in more detail. Withreference to FIG. 3, the input button 110 includes a head 148 and a stem150 or spindle. The stem 150 is received into the button aperture 172defined in the enclosure 114 and the head 148 extends outwards from thestem 150 outside of the enclosure 114. In embodiments where the wearableelectronic device 100 is a watch, the input button 110 forms a crown forthe watch, with head 148 acting as a user engagement surface to allowthe user to rotate, pull, and/or push the crown 110 or input button.

With reference to FIG. 1, the head 148 is generally a flange shapedmember that may have a cylindrical body and a rounded or flat top.Additionally, the head 148 may optionally include a plurality of ridges202 or other tactile features. The ridges 202 may enhance the frictionbetween a user's finger or fingers and the head 148, making it easierfor the user to rotate or pull the head 148, and may provide indicatorsto a user (similar to mile markers on a road) that allow a user todetermine the number of rotations. For example, the head 148 may includea ridge 202 every quarter around the outer surface of the head 148 thatcan indicate to a user when the head has rotated 90 degrees. However, inother embodiments, the ridge 202 may be omitted or other features may beused.

With reference again to FIG. 3, the stem 150 may be a generallycylindrically shaped member and may extend from the head 148. The head148 and the stem 150 may be integrally formed or may be discretecomponents that are fixedly attached together. The stem 150 may alsoinclude a sealing groove 152 defined around a portion of its outercircumference. The sealing groove 152 is configured to receive a sealingmember, such as an O-ring 154 or seal cup. In some embodiments, the stem150 has a longer length than a length of the button aperture 172. Inthis manner, opposite ends of the stem 150 extend from either side ofthe button aperture 172. In these embodiments, the head 148 may bespatially separated from the outer surface of the enclosure by thelength of the stem 150 that extends outward from the outer end of thebutton aperture. However, in other embodiments the stem 150 may have alength that is substantially the same as a length of the button aperture172 or may be shorter than a length of the button aperture 172. In thelater example, one or more portions of the sensing circuitry (disused inmore detail below) may be positioned directly beneath the buttonaperture 172 or partially within the button aperture 172.

The input button 110 includes a trackable element 146 or encoderpositioned on a bottom of the stem 150. FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view ofthe button 110. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the trackable element146 may be connected to a bottom end of the stem 150 or may be connectedto or defined on the outer surface of the stem 150. The trackableelement 146 interacts with a sensing element 142 to allow the sensingelement 162 to track movement of the stem 150 by tracking movement ofthe trackable element 146. As such, the trackable element 146 isconnected to the stem 150 such that as the stem 150 moves or rotates,such as due to a user input to the head 148, the trackable element 146will move correspondingly.

The position, size, and type of material for the trackable element 146may be varied based on the sensing element 142, which as discussed belowmay track different types of parameters, such as, but not limited to,optical characteristics, magnetic characteristics, mechanicalcharacteristics, electrical characteristics, or capacitivecharacteristics. As such, the trackable element 146 can be modified toenhance tracking of the stem 150.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, thetrackable element 146 is a magnet, either permanent or electromagnetic.In this embodiment, the trackable element 146 may be a cylindrical discincluding a first pole 182 and a second pole 184. The first pole 182 maybe the north pole of the trackable element 146 and the second pole 184may be the south pole of the trackable element 146. The two poles 182,184 may be diametrically opposed, such that half of the trackableelement 146 forms the first pole 182 and other half of the trackableelement 146 forms the second pole 184, with the two poles 182, 184forming half-circle shapes. In other words, the bottom face of thetrackable element 146 is split in polarity along its diameter.

In some embodiments, the trackable element may include two or moremagnets positioned around the perimeter of the stem 150. In theseembodiments, the rotational sensor may be positioned within the buttonaperture to track rotation of the stem 150.

The sensing element 142 and corresponding structures will now bediscussed in more detail. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section view ofthe wearable electronic device taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1. Withreference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the sensing element 142 is supported withinthe enclosure 114 and is configured to detect rotational, vertical,and/or lateral movements of the button 110. The sensing element 142 maybe supported on a substrate 166 and includes one or more sensors. Forexample, the sensing element 142 may include rotation sensors 210 a, 210b, 210 c, 210 d and a switch sensor 160. The rotation sensors 210 a, 210b, 210 c, 210 d and the switch sensor 160 may be positioned within acompartment 212 or other enclosure. The compartment 212 is supported onthe substrate 166 by a contact floor 170 that forms a bottom of thesensing element 142. The compartment 212 and the contact floor 170define a cavity 164 in which the sensors are received.

The rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d are configured to detectrotation of the stem 150 or other portions of the crown or button 110.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the rotation sensors 210 a,210 b, 210 c, 210 d may be magnetic sensors that detect changes inmagnetic polarity. For example, the rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210c, 210 d may be Hall-effect sensors. In other words, the rotationsensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d may be transducers that vary anoutput signal in response to a magnetic field. In another example, therotational sensor and/or switch sensor may be an optical sensor and thetrackable element may include one or more markings or visible indicatorsthat can be used by the optical sensor to track movement of the stem150.

In some embodiments, the trackable element may be positioned on the head148 or exterior portion of the button 110. In these embodiments, therotational sensor may be in communication (either optically ormagnetically) with the input button 110 through the housing or enclosure114. For example, the enclosure may include a transparent portion orwindow and an optical sensor may track movement of the crown through thewindow.

In some examples, the rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d may bespaced apart from one another and located at opposite quadrants of thesensing element 142. This allows the rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210c, 210 d to track rotation of the trackable element 146 as it enters andexits each quadrant or section of the sensing element. However, itshould be noted that in other embodiments, there may be only two sensorsthat may be used to track larger rotational distances of the trackableelement 146.

The rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d may be in-plane with oneanother or may be out of plane with one another. With reference to FIG.5, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the rotation sensors210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d are aligned in plane with one another.

Additionally, although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 shows fourrotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d, there may be fewer or moresensors. For example, only two sensors may be used or more than twoforce sensors may be used. The additional sensors may provide additionalinformation, such as orientation and/or speed, as well as provideredundancy to reduce error. However, using only two sensors may allowthe sensing element 142 to detect rotation of the stem 150, withoutadditional components, which may reduce cost and manufacturingcomplexities of the wearable device 100.

However, in other embodiments, the rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c,210 d may sense parameters other than magnetic fields. For example, therotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d may be optical sensors(e.g., image or light sensors), capacitive sensors, electrical contacts,or the like. In these embodiments, the number, orientation, position,and size of the rotation sensors may be varied as desired.

The switch sensor 160 includes an electrical contact element 168, acollapsible dome 214 and a tip 158. The electrical contact element 168interacts with a contact element on the floor 170 to indicate when theswitch sensor 160 has been activated. For example, when the contactelement 168 contacts the floor 170, a circuit may be completed, a signalmay be stimulated of created, or the like. The dome 214 is a resilientand flexible material that collapses or flexes upon a predeterminedforce level. The dome 214 may be a thin metal dome, a plastic dome, orother may be constructed from other materials. The dome 214 may producean audible sound, as well as an opposing force, in response to acollapsing force exerted by a user. The audible sound and opposing forceprovide feedback to a user when a user compresses the dome 214. The tip158 is connected to the dome 214 and when a force is applied to the tip158, the tip 158 is configured to collapse the dome 214.

Although the switch sensor 160 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 as beinga tactile switch, many other sensors are envisioned. For example, theswitch sensor 160 may be a magnetic sensor, a capacitive sensor, anoptical sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor. In a specific example, theswitch sensor 160 may be capacitive sensor and can detect changes incapacitance as the button 110 is pressed by a user and the stem 150moves closer to the sensor 160. As such, the discussion of anyparticular embodiment is meant as illustrative only.

It should be noted that the sensing element 142 including the rotationsensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d and the switch sensor 160 may be anintegrated sensing component or package that may be installed into thehub 102 as one component. Alternatively, the rotation sensors 210 a, 210b, 210 c, 210 d and the switch sensors 160 may be discrete componentsthat maybe installed as separate components, and may include their ownseals, substrates, and the like. Moreover, the wearable electronicdevice 100 may include only a single sensor, such as either therotational sensor or the switch sensor.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the sensing element 142 issurrounded by a seal 144. The seal 144, which may be pressure sensitiveadhesive, heat activated film, silicone, or other sealing materials, ispositioned around a perimeter of the compartment 212. For example, theseal 144 may be a rectangular shaped element that extends around aperimeter of the compartment 212 and sealing member. The seal 144defines an opening allowing the rotation sensors and the switch sensorto be in communication with the trackable element 146 and stem 150. Amembrane 156 or flexible seal extends over the opening and is positionedover the sensing element 142. The membrane 156 acts along with the seal144 to prevent water, debris, and other elements from reaching thesensing element 142. For example, water and other elements may travelthrough the button aperture 172 within the enclosure 114, but due to themembrane and the seal 144 may not reach the sensing element 142 andother internal components of the wearable electronic device 100. Asanother example, in some embodiments, the button 110 may be removableand the seal 144 and membrane 156 prevent water and other elements fromdamaging the sensing element 142 and/or other internal components of thewearable device 100 while the crown or button is removed.

With reference to FIG. 5, the tip 158 of switch sensor 160 may bepositioned above the membrane 156, with a sealing ring 216 sealing themembrane 156 against the sidewalls of the tip 158. In these embodiments,the membrane 156 may be flexible and allow the tip 158 to movevertically without ripping or otherwise compromising the seal of themembrane.

Operation of the input button 110 will now be discussed in furtherdetail. With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, to provide a first input tothe wearable input device 100, the user applies a push force F to thehead 148 of the crown or button 110. As the force F is exerted againstthe head 148, the head and the steam 150 move laterally along the lengthof the button aperture 172 in the direction of the force F, towards theinternal cavity 139 defined by the enclosure 114. As the stem 150 movesinto the cavity 139, the bottom end of the stem 150, in some instances,the trackable element 146, transfers at least a portion of the force Fto the tip 158.

In response to the force F on the tip 158, the dome 214 collapses,moving the contact 168 into communication with a contact (not shown) onthe floor 170. As the dome collapses 214, the user is provided feedback(e.g., through the audible sound of the dome collapsing or themechanical feel of the dome collapsing). As the contact 168 registers aninput, a signal is produced and transmitted to the processing element124. The processing element 124 then uses the signal to register a userinput. It should be noted that in embodiments where the switch sensor160 is positioned off-axis from the stem 150 (discussed in more detailbelow), the force F may be angled as shown by angled force AF. Thisangled force AF may be registered as a second user input, in addition tothe on-axis force F.

In some embodiments, the button aperture may be sufficiently large thatthe switch sensor 120 can be activated by the angled force AF, even whenthe switch sensor is positioned beneath the stem 150 as shown in FIG. 4.In other words, the angled force AF or other off-axis force may activatethe input button 110 when the frictional engagement of the stem 150 withthe button aperture 172 sidewall is insufficient to resist the angledforce AF. As the angle increases, the frictional force acting on thestem increases and by varying the size of the stem and/or buttonaperture, a predetermined angle range may be selected for which theangled force AF can activate the switch. For example, a maximum angle ofthe input force can be selected and when the force is below that angle,the angled force can activate the switch 120 and when the angled forceis at or above the maximum angle, the input button may not be activated.As an example, a force applied to the input button at an angle up to 30or 45 degrees may be able to activate the switch sensor 120.

Additionally, the input button 110 can register rotational inputs. Forexample, if a user applies a rotation force R to the head 148, the head148 and stem 150 rotate. As the stem 150 rotates, the trackable element146 rotates correspondingly. The rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c,210 d track movement of the trackable element 146 and produce signalsthat are transmitted to the processing element 124, which may usesignals to determine the rotation speed and direction.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5 in embodiments where the rotation sensors210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d are Hall effect sensors and the trackableelement 146 is a magnet, the sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d may usethe changes in magnetic field to determine rotation. With reference toFIG. 5, as the stem 150 rotates due to the rotation force R (see FIG.1), the trackable element 146 rotates along the rotation axis therewith.As the trackable element 146 rotates the two poles 182, 184 rotate over(or near) each of the rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d,causing the rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d to detect achange in the magnetic field.

The changes in magnetic field can be used by the processing element 124to determine rotation speed and direction the trackable element 146 (andthus stem 150). In this manner, the user may apply a rotational input tothe button 110, which may be detected by the sensing element 142. Itshould be noted that in some embodiments, the speed and/or direction ofthe user input may be used to activate different applications and/or maybe provided as separate input types of the processing element 124. Forexample, rotation in a first direction at a first speed may correlate toa first type of input and rotation in a second direction at a secondspeed may correlate to a second input, and rotation in the firstdirection at the second speed may be a third input. In this manner,multiple user inputs can be detectable through the crown of the wearableinput device 100.

As described above, in some embodiments, the rotation sensors 210 a, 210b, 210 c, 210 d may be Hall effect sensors that vary an output signal inresponse to a change in a magnetic field, e.g., as the trackable element146 changes orientation with respect to each of the sensors 210 a, 210b, 210 c, 210 d. In these embodiments, the rotation sensors 210 a, 210b, 210 c, 210 d typically draw current from the power source 122 whenactivated. Thus, the sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d may constantlydraw power when searching for a user input to the input button 110.

However, in some embodiments it may be desirable to reduce powerconsumption of the wearable electronic device 100. For example, it maybe desirable for the power source 122 to provide power to the device 100for multiple days without recharging. In these embodiments, the sensingelement 142 can include an inductor near the trackable element 146 orother magnetic element attached to the crown. The inductor will generatea current when the trackable element 146 moves (such as due to a userinput to the input button 110). The induced current may be used as awake or interrupt signal to the sensing element 142. The sensing element142 may then activate the rotation sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d toallow better rotational sensing for the position of the stem 150.

In the above embodiment, the wearable input device 100 may detect userinputs during zero power or low-power sleep modes. Thus, the life of thepower source 122 may be enhanced, while not reducing the functionalityof the device 100. Moreover, the induced current could be used to getdirection and/or rotational velocity measurements as the trackableelement 146 is moved. For example, the current direction and voltageinduced by the inductor may be used to determine rotational directionand speed.

In yet another embodiment, the sensing element 142 may include a magnetor magnetic element as the trackable element 146 and the rotation sensormay include an inductor. In this example, as the magnet is movedrelative to the inductor, a current is induced within the inductor,which as described above could be used to determine rotational speedand/or velocity. In this manner, the sensing element 142 may not requiremuch, if any, power while still tracking user inputs to the input button110 or crown.

With reference to FIG. 3, the switch sensor 160 has been illustrated asbeing positioned on-axis with the stem 150 of the input button 110.However, in other embodiments, the switch sensor 160 may be positionedperpendicular to the stem 150 and/or otherwise angled relative to thestem 150. In these embodiments, the switch sensor 160 can sense off-axismovement, such as a user pressing the head 148 downward at a 45 degreeangle. For example, the switch sensor 160 may be positioned within thebutton aperture 172 and/or adjacent the opening of the button aperture172 into the enclosure 114 and may track movement of the stem 150vertically (relative to FIG. 3) within the button aperture 172.

In other embodiments, the wearable device 100 may include both on andoff axis switch sensors to detect various types of user inputs. Forexample, the user may press the top end of the head 148 to force thestem 150 inwards towards the enclosure 114, which may be registered bythe on-axis switch. As another example, the user may press the head 148downward at an angle relative to the button aperture 172. The stem 150may be pushed towards an inner wall of the button aperture 172 (in whichthe switch sensor may be positioned), allowing the switch sensor todetect that movement as well. In this example, the button click may beactivated by pressing the crown vertically downwards and/or at an angle.Alternatively, the switch sensor 160 may be activated through a pivotpoint. In other words, the input to the crown or input button 110 may beon-axis, off-axis, perpendicular to the rotation direction, and/or acombination of the different input types.

In some embodiments, the wearable electronic device 100 may includecomponents that may be used to retain the input button within the buttonaperture 172. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate cross-section views of examplesof retention components for the input button. With initial reference toFIG. 6, in a first example, the wearable electronic device 100 mayinclude a clip 143 that connects to a bottom end of the stem 150. Forexample, the clip 143 may be a C-clip that is received around a portionof the stem 150. In this example, the clip 143 allows the stem 150 torotate within the button aperture 172, but prevents the stem 150 frombeing removed from the button aperture 712. The clip 143 may have alarger diameter than the button aperture 172 to prevent removal of theinput button 110 from the button aperture 172 or may be secured to theenclosure 114 in a manner that prevents the input button from beingremoved.

The stem 150 may also include a groove or other detent that receives theretaining element 143. In this example, the retaining element 143 clipsinto position and is secured to the stem 150. As another example, theretaining element 143 may be a bearing, such as a ball bearing, that isreceived around the outer surface of them stem. In this embodiment, thebearing may have a low friction connection to the stem 150, to allow thestem 150 to rotate, but may have an increased diameter as compared tothe stem 150, which helps to secure the stem in position relative to theenclosure.

In some embodiments, the trackable element 146 may also act as aretaining element for the input button 110. For example, the clip 143 inFIG. 6 may be a diametric magnet that may be detectable by the sensingelement 142. In other example, with reference to FIG. 7, in anotherexample, the retaining element may be a retaining magnet 145. In thisexample, the retaining magnet 145 may be formed integrally with the stem150 or connected to a bottom end thereof. The retaining magnet 145 mayhave a diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of thestem 150, which allows the input button 110 to be inserted into thebutton aperture 172 with the retaining magnet 145 connected thereto. Inthis embodiment, the trackable element 146 is a second magnet that ispositioned within the cavity 139 defined by the enclosure 114. Thetrackable element 146 includes an opposite polarization from theretaining magnet at least on a side that interfaces with the retainingmagnet 145. For example, the retaining magnet 145 may be a plate withmagnetic properties, such as, but not limited to, a steel or metalplate, a ferromagnetic material, or the like. In this manner, thetrackable element 146 and the retaining magnet 145 may experience anattractive force towards one another.

In some embodiments, the trackable element 146 may be separated from theretaining magnet 145 by a gap. In these embodiments, the gap may besufficiently dimensioned such that the retaining magnet 145 is able tointeract with the trackable element 146 and cause the trackable element146 to move therewith. Alternatively, the trackable element 146 may bepositioned against a surface of the retaining magnet 145

Due the varying polarizations, the trackable element 146 attracts theretaining magnet 145 pulling the input button 110 into the cavity 139.The trackable element 146 may have a diameter configured to retain thebutton 110 within the button aperture 172. For example, the trackableelement 146 may have a larger diameter than a diameter of the buttonaperture 172 and larger than a diameter of the retaining magnet 145. Inthese embodiments, the attraction between the retaining magnet and thetrackable element may secure the two elements together, and prevent thestem 150 from being pulled through the button aperture, at least becausethe diameter of the trackable element may be larger than the buttonaperture.

In some embodiments, the trackable element 146 may also be detectable bythe sensing element 142. For example, because the trackable element 146may be configured to retain the steam 150 within the button aperture172, the larger diameter of the trackable element 146, as compared tothe trackable element shown in FIG. 3 (which may have approximately thesame diameter of the stem) may allow the sensing element 142 to moreeasily track movement of the trackable element 142. That is, thetrackable element in this example may have a larger surface area thatmay be tracked by the sensing element 142, allowing the sensing element142 to more easily detect its movements.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the trackableelement 146 rotates with the retaining magnet 145. For example, as thestem rotates, the retaining magnet 145, which is connected to the stem150, rotates. Continuing with this example, due to the magnetic forcebetween the trackable element 146 and the retaining magnet 145, thetrackable element 146 rotates with the stem 150. In these embodiments,the retaining magnet 145 may act to retain the stem 150 to the trackableelement 146 and because of the increased size of the trackable element146 as compared to the retaining magnet 145, the trackable element 146retains the button 110 within the button aperture 172. The trackableelement 146 then interacts with the sensing element 142 to allow theuser inputs to the input button 110 to be detected.

The retaining elements shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are meant as illustrativeonly. Many other types of retaining elements are envisioned that may beused to connect the input button to the enclosure 114, e.g., flanges,fasteners (such as screws), or the like. In embodiments where the inputbutton includes a retaining element, the input button may have a better“feel” to the user as it may feel less “squishy,” which can detract fromthe user experience. Additionally, the retaining elements 143, 145 helpto reduce water, fluid, and other debris from entering into the cavity139 through the button aperture 172. In other words, because the inputbutton 110 may be securely connected to the enclosure 114, certainelements can be blocked by the button or the retaining member andprevented from entering into the cavity 139 via the button aperture 172.Moreover, the retaining elements may help to prevent the input buttonfrom becoming disconnected from the electronic device.

In some embodiments, the sensing element may be spatially separated fromthe trackable element and/or positioned out of series with the movementof the stem. FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the wearable deviceincluding two sensing elements positioned within the cavity of theenclosure. With reference to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the sensingelement 342 may include a first magnetometer 348 and a secondmagnetometer 350. Each magnetometer 348, 350 is configured to sensemagnetic fields and optionally the direction of any sensed magneticfield. As one example, each magnetometer 348, 350 may include three Halleffect sensors, each of which may be used to sense a particular magneticfield vector. In other words, each Hall effect sensor in themagnetometers 348, 350 may be configured to measure components in atleast one direction, e.g., X, Y, and Z. In this example, each Halleffect sensor may be oriented perpendicularly relative to the other Halleffect sensors. The magnetic field vectors detected by each Hall effectsensor can be combined to determine an overall vector length and/ordirection for one or more magnetic fields.

The magnetometers 348, 350 may be connected to a substrate 366, aninternal wall of the enclosure 114, or another support structure.Optionally, a shielding element 368 may be positioned around at least aportion of the magnetometer 348, 350. For example, in one embodimentboth magnetometers 348, 350 may be positioned beneath the display 116and the shielding element 368 may reduce interference and noise betweenthe sensing element 342 and the display 116. However, in otherembodiments, the shielding element 368 may be omitted or differentlyconfigured.

With continued reference to FIG. 8 in some embodiments, the twomagnetometers 348, 350 may be spaced apart by a distance D from oneanother. The distance D may be used to determine user input to the inputbutton 310, and in particular movement of the trackable element 142. Insome embodiments, the distance D may be selected such that themagnetometers 348, 350 may be able to sense movement of the trackableelement 146, as well as sensing the Earth's magnetic field, which allowsthe magnetometers to be used as a compass. In other words, the distanceD may be sufficiently small such that the Earth's magnetic field may beexperienced by both magnetometers in substantially the same manner, butmay be sufficiently large that movement of the trackable element may beexperienced differently by each magnetometer.

In operation, the sensing element 342 including the magnetometers 348,350 detects changes in a local magnetic field due to the varyingposition of the trackable element 146. That is, as the user rotates orotherwise provides an input to the input button 310, the trackableelement 146 varies its position relative to the sensing element 342,causing a change in at least one component of the magnetic field. Inembodiments where the trackable element 146 includes a magneticcomponent, varying the position of the trackable element 146 relative tothe magnetometers 348, 350 causes the magnetometers to detect a changein the magnetic field. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the distance Dbetween the two magnetometers 348, 350 is known and thus the delta ordifference between the signals of the two magnetometers 348, 350 can bedetermined. This delta can then be used to determine the position of thetrackable element 146. In particular, the signals from each magnetometermay be processed using the known distance D and the signals may then becorrelated to the user input.

In some embodiments, the two magnetometers 348, 350 may be configured todetect the magnitude of the magnetic field of the trackable element 146,as well as the direction. In this manner, the processing element 124,which is in communication with the sensing element 342, can determinethe user input the input button 310, e.g., the direction, speed, anddistance of a rotation of the input button, all of which may becorrelated to different parameters of the user input to the button.

In instances where the magnetometers in the electronic device can senseboth the rotation of the input button and extraneous magnetic fields,such as the Earth's magnetic field, the encoder for the input button maybe used simultaneously with a compass function for the electronic device100. This may allow a user to provide input via the input button 310,while at the same time viewing a compass output (e.g., arrow pointingtowards north) on the display 116.

In some embodiments the sensing element 342 may be calibrated to avoiddetecting magnetic fields that may be part of the wearable electronicdevice 100 or components it may interacts with. For example, in someinstances a charging cable including a magnetic attachment mechanism maybe used with the electronic device. In this example, the magnetic fieldof the charging cable can be calibrated out of the sensing element 342such that it may not substantially affect the sensing elements 342ability to detect the trackable element 146.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, although the sensing element 342 ofthe input button 310 has been discussed as including two magnetometers348, 350, in some embodiments the sensing element 342 may include asingle magnetometer. By including a single magnetometer, the sensingelement 342 may be less expensive to implement as it may include fewercomponents. However, in these embodiments, larger movements of the inputbutton may be required for the sensing element 342 to detect the userinputs, i.e., the sensitivity may be reduced.

In some embodiments, the trackable element may detect orientation,acceleration, or other parameters that can be used to determine a userinput. FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of an example of an input buttonwith the trackable element configured to detect movement of the shaft.With reference to FIG. 9, in this embodiment the input button 410 may besubstantially similar to the input button 110, but the trackable element446 may be a gyroscope or other element configured to detect changes inorientation or acceleration. In these embodiments, the trackable elementmay independently track movement of the stem 150 relative to theenclosure 114. For example, the trackable element 446 is connected tothe shaft 150 and as the user provides an input to the button 410, theshaft rotates, and the trackable element 446 detects the direction andspeed of rotation.

The sensing element 442 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 mayinclude a shaft contact 458. The shaft contact 458 is electricallyconnected to the trackable element 446 and receives signals therefrom.For example, the shaft contact 458 may be a brush contact and be torotate, allowing the shaft contact 458 and the trackable element 446 tobe in electrical communication without substantially restrictingrotation or other movement of the shaft 150 (via the trackable element).

In operation, as a user rotates the shaft 150, for example, by rotatingthe head 148, the trackable element 446 detects the rotation. Inparticular, the trackable element 446 experiences the rotation of theshaft 150 and detects the direction and speed of rotation. The trackableelement 446 then produces an electrical signal that may be transmittedto the shaft contact 458. For example, the shaft contact 458 brushesagainst the trackable element 446 as the trackable element 446 isspinning with the shaft 150 and detects the signal produced by thetrackable element 446.

The shaft contact 458 and the sensing element 442 provide the signalfrom the trackable element 446 to the processing element 142. Theprocessing element 142 may then compare the signal detected by thetrackable element 446 to a rotational signal detected by one or more ofthe sensors 126 within the electronic device 100. For example, theprocessing element 142 may subtract the trackable element 446 signalfrom a signal from a gyroscope sensor connected to the enclosure, logicboard substrate 166, or other element separated from the input button410. In this manner, the processing element 124 may determine therotation and other movement of the stem 150 separated from rotationalmovement of the electronic device 100. For example, the wearableelectronic device 100 may be moved while worn on the wrist of a user,and if the readings from the device 100 as a whole are not subtractedfrom the trackable element readings, the user input may bemiscalculated. However, in some instances the rotation experienced bythe trackable element 446 may be a sufficiently higher magnitude thanthe rotation experienced by the wearable device 100 and the processingelement 124 may not need to subtract the sensor 126 data from the datadetected by the trackable element 446 to determine the user input to thebutton 410.

In another example, the sensing element may detect features defined onthe shaft of the button or otherwise connected thereto. FIG. 10 is across-section view the wearable device including another example of thesensing element and trackable element. With reference to FIG. 10, inthis example, input button 510 may include a head 548 and shaft 550extending thereof. The input button 510 may be substantially similar tothe input button 110, but the trackable element 546 may be definedaround a portion of the shaft 550. For example, the trackable element546 may be a series of notches, ridges, or other detectable markings(e.g., paint, colors, etc.), or other features. The trackable element546 may be integrally formed with the shaft 550, such as grooves orridges formed during manufacturing/molding, or may be a separate elementconnected to shaft. In some embodiments, the trackable element 546 mayextend around a portion of a bottom end of the outer surface of theshaft 550 or the trackable element 546 may extend around the entireouter surface of the shaft 550.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, in this example, the sensingelement 542 may be connected to the enclosure 114 and may be positionedadjacent at least a portion of the shaft 550 and trackable element 546.For example, the sensing element 542 may be positioned parallel with theportion of the shaft 550 that extends into the cavity 139 and may beanchored to the enclosure 114 surrounding the button aperture 172. Insome embodiments, the sensing element 542 may surround the entire shaft550 of the input button and in other embodiments the sensing element 542may surround only portions (e.g., positioned on opposing sides) of theshaft.

The sensing element 542 is configured to detect movement of the shaft550 by detecting the trackable element 546. As one example, thetrackable element 546 may be a magnetic element and the sensing element542 may be a Hall effect sensor. As a second example, the trackableelement may be a colored marking and the sensing element 542 may be anoptical sensor. As a third example, the trackable element 546 may be ametallic element or other capacitive sensitive element and the sensingelement 542 may be a capacitive sensor. As a fourth example, thetrackable element 546 may be a ridge or extension connected to the shaftand the sensing element 542 may be a mechanical contact that iscompressed or otherwise selected when the ridge passes over it. In thisexample, the mechanical contact may also be a gear or other keyedelement that engages with the trackable element 546. In particular, thetrackable element 546 may be corresponding gear or teeth that engage amechanical element on the enclosure 114. As the stem 550 rotates, thetrackable element 546 will rotate, meshing the gears or teeth with thegears/teeth of the enclosure 114, which may allow the sensing element todetermine movement of the stem 550.

With reference to FIG. 10, in operation, the user rotates or provides apush input to the head 548, the stem 550 moves correspondingly. As thestem 550 moves, the trackable element 546 rotates, translates, orotherwise moves relative to the sensing element 542. The sensing element542 provides a signal (or causes another element connected thereto toprovide a signal) to the processing element, registering the user inputto the input button 510.

In some embodiments, the input button may include an electricalconnection between the stem and the enclosure. FIG. 11 is across-section view of an input button including an electrical connectionbetween the enclosure and internal components of the wearable device andthe input button. The input button 610 may be substantially similar tothe input button 110, but may include a direct electrical connectionbetween the stem of the input button and the sensing element. Withreference to FIG. 11, the input button 610 may include a sensing element642 connected to the enclosure 114 and positioned above the aperturereceiving the stem 650. The sensing element 642 may be an electricalcontact or pad that is connected to an interior sidewall 171 of thebutton aperture 172. The sensing element 642 may be in communicationwith the sensing element 124 via one or more connections (not shown) orwirelessly. As another example, the sensing element may be an opticalsensor that senses light (which need not be in the visible spectrum)from a sidewall of the shaft. The shaft may be patterned, colored orotherwise marked so that rotation of the shaft varies the light receivedby the sensing element, thereby allowing the sensing element to detectrotation and/or translation of the shaft.

The trackable element 646 in this embodiment may be a mechanical brushthat is positioned on the stem 650. For example, the trackable element646 may include brush elements 643 positioned on an outer surface of thestem 650 at predetermined positioned. Alternatively, the brush elements643 may be positioned around an entire perimeter of the outer surface ofthe stem 650. The trackable element 646 may be one or more conductiveelements that interact with the sensing element 642. For example, thebrush elements 643 may be copper bristles that electrically interactwith the sensing element 642.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, in some embodiments, the trackableelement 646 may be in electrical communication with a crown sensor 630or an input sensor connected to the button. The crown sensor 630 may bepositioned in the head 648 and/or stem 650 of the input button 610. Thecrown sensor 630 may be substantially any type of sensor, such as, butnot limited to, microphone, speaker, capacitive sensor, optical sensor,biometric sensor, or the like. The crown sensor 630 may be positionedsubstantially anywhere on the head 648 and/or stem 650 and there may betwo or more crown sensors 630 each connected to location within theinput button 610.

In operation, as a user provides an input, such as a rotational force tothe head 648, the stem 650 rotates. As the stem 650 rotates, thetrackable element 646 contacts the sensing element 642. In particular,the brush elements 643 intermittently or continuously directly contactthe sensing element 642 creating an electrical connection between thetrackable element 646 and the sensing element 642. The sensing element642 then creates an input signal corresponding to the sensed movementand provides the input signal to the processing element. In someembodiments, the sensing element 642 may sense the rotational speedand/or number of rotations of the stem 650 based on the number ofcontacts created between the brush elements 643 and the sensing element642.

In embodiments where the input button 610 includes the crown sensor 630,the trackable element 646 may communicate one or more signals from thecrown sensor 630 to the sensing element 642 or other components incommunication with the sensing element 642 (e.g., processing element).As one example, the crown sensor 630 may be a biometric sensor thatdetects a user's heart rate and/or regularity and provide that data tothe processing element within the enclosure 114 via the sensing elementand trackable element. As another example, the crown sensor 630 may be amicrophone and the trackable element 646 and sensing element 642 may beused to pull data from the microphone on the head 648 (or otherlocation) and provide that data to the processing element 124.

Alternatively or additionally, the sensing element 642 may transferpower to the trackable element and the crown sensor 630. For example,when the brush elements 643 contact the sensing element 646, the sensingelement 646 may transfer current through the connection. The currenttransferred between the sensing element 642 and the trackable element646 may be used to provide power to the crown sensor 630, as well as anyother components (e.g., displays) that are connected to the input button610 and separated from the cavity of the enclosure.

In some embodiments, the input button may sense a user input via one ormore sensors positioned on the head of the button. FIG. 12 is across-section view of the input button including an input sensor. Withreference to FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the input button 710 may besubstantially similar to the input button 110, but may include an inputsensor 730 connected to or defined on the head 748 of the button 710.The input sensor 730 may be similar to the crown sensor 630 and may beconfigured to detect one or more characteristics that may be used todetect a user input. As some example, the input sensor 730 may includeone or more capacitive sensors, optical sensors, resistive sensors, orthe like. The input sensor 730 may determine if a user positions his orher finger on the head 648 and if the user moves his or her finger alonga portion of the head 648 (e.g., around the exterior perimeter of thehead). In one embodiment, the input sensor 730 may include a pluralityof sensing elements positioned around the sidewalls defining the head748, which may be configured to detect a user sliding his or her fingeraround the head 748.

The input sensor may receive power in a manner similar to the crownsensor, or may be connected to a power source positioned with theenclosure. For example, the input sensor may be connected via one ormore wires to a power source within the enclosure or may be inductivelycoupled to a power source to receive power wirelessly.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the input button 710, and inparticular the stem 750 and head 748, may be prevented from rotating. Inother words, the input button 710 may translate laterally relative tothe button aperture 172, but may not rotate within the button aperture172. In these embodiments, the user may provide a rotational input tothe wearable device by rotating his or her finger around the head 648(or other areas of the input button) and the input sensor 730 detectsthe movement of the finger around the head and provides the input to theprocessing element. In embodiments where the input button 710 translateslaterally within the button aperture 172, the stem 750 may be pushed bya user against the switch sensor 160 to detect a user input. Forexample, the user may press against the face of the head 748 and providea lateral force to the input button, causing the bottom surface 745 ofthe stem 750 to press against the tip 158 of the switch sensor 160,causing the switch sensor 160 to register a user input.

In some embodiments, the input button 710 may be fixed relative to theenclosure 114 or may be formed integrally therewith. In theseembodiments, the input sensor 730 may detect “button press” inputs. Inother words, the input sensor 730 may detect a user input force Fapplied parallel to the stem 750 or other inputs where the user providesa lateral force to the input button. In this example, as the userpresses his or her finger against the face 747 of the head 748, theuser's finger may expand as it engages the face 747 or may conform tothe shape of the face 747. As the force increases, the user's finger mayinteract with more sensing elements 731 of the input sensor 730, whichmay be correlated to the user input force F by the processing element124. For example the sensing elements 731 may be optical sensors and theuser's finger may cover more sensing elements 731 as the force Fincreases or the sensing elements 731 may be capacitive sensors and theuser's finger may interact with more capacitive sensors as the forceincreases. In these embodiments, the sensing elements 731 may bepositioned along the face 747, as well as sidewalls of the head 748 andmay be positioned in a pattern, such as rows or circles, or may bepositioned randomly.

In some embodiments, the tactile switch positioned within the enclosuremay be positioned within a sidewall of the enclosure surrounding theinput button. These embodiments may allow non-lateral forces, such asforces applied perpendicular to the stem to register a user input, aswell as provide a tactile sensation to the user. FIG. 13A is across-sectional view of an embodiment of the input button including aswitch sensor positioned parallel to the stem. FIG. 13B is across-section view of the input button illustrated in FIG. 13A with aforce being applied to the head. With initial reference to FIG. 13A, inthis embodiment, the button assembly may include the input button 810positioned within an enclosure 814. The enclosure 814 may besubstantially similar to the enclosure 114 but may include a switchcavity 816 defined therein. The switch cavity 860 may be formed as anextension or pocket of the button aperture 872. As an example, asidewall 858 defining the button aperture 872 on a first side of thebutton aperture 872 may expand outwards to form a switch sidewall 860that defines the switch cavity 860. In these embodiments, the switchcavity 860 may be open into a device cavity 812 defined by the display116 and the enclosure 814. In this manner, the switch cavity 860 may beformed as a recess in the internal wall 868 of the enclosure 814.However, in other embodiments, the switch cavity may be at leastpartially enclosed (see, e.g., FIG. 14).

With continued reference to FIG. 13A, the input button 810 includes ahead 848 having a front face 847 and a stem 850 extending from a bottomsurface of the head 848. The head 848 may form a flange for the end ofthe stem 850 and may also include a sidewall 845. The stem 850 mayinclude an annular recess 852 defined around an outer surface thereof.The annular recess 852 may be defined in a middle portion of the stem,towards an end of the stem 850, or otherwise as desired. A sealingelement 154 may be received within the annular recess 852. The sealingelement 154, as discussed above, may be a compressible element, such asan O-ring or seal cup.

The trackable element 146 may be connected to the bottom of the stem 850and may be in communication with the sensing element 142. The sensingelement 142 is configured to detect movement or rotation of thetrackable element 146 to determine user inputs to the input button 810.In some embodiments, the sensing element 142 may be aligned with thestem 850 and the button aperture 872 and may be positioned adjacent tothe bottom end of the stem. The sensing element 142 may be supported bya substrate 866.

The button assembly illustrated in FIG. 13A may also include the switchsensor 160. The switch sensor 160, as described in FIG. 3, includes thedome 214 and substrate 166. However, in this embodiment, the switchsensor 160, or at least a portion thereof, is received within the switchenclosure 860. In particular, the switch sensor 160 may be connected tothe switch sidewall 860 but may extend partially into the cavity 812. Inthis manner, the switch sensor 160 may be connected to the substrate866, to support the substrate 866 and sensing element 142 within thecavity 812. The switch sensor 160 and the switch cavity 816 may beconfigured such that the tip 158 of the dome 214 may be positionedadjacent to the outer sidewall 851 of the stem 850. In some embodiments,the tip 158 may even be positioned against the outer sidewall 851 of thestem 850. The distance between the tip 158 and the sidewall 851 maydetermine the amount of force applied to the head 848 in order toactivate the switch sensor 160. As an example, the further the distance,the more force that may be required to activate the switch sensor.

In operation, the user may rotate the head 848, which causes the stem850 to rotate correspondingly. As described in more detail above withrespect to FIG. 3, the sensing element 142 tracks the rotation of thetrackable element 146 to determine the rotation of the stem 850. Forexample, the trackable element 146 may be a magnetic element and thesensing element 142 may be a Hall effect sensor, or another magneticsensor that may detect movement of the trackable element. In otherembodiments, the trackable element and the sensing element may beotherwise configured to detect user input to the stem.

With reference to FIG. 13B, if a user applies a force F to the sidewall845 of the head 848 that angled relative to the button aperture 872, thehead 848 may deflect in downwards relative to the button aperture 872.Although the stem 850 is illustrated as impacting or deflecting theenclosure 814 in FIG. 13B, it should be appreciated that the deflectionof the stem may be exaggerated for purposes of clarity. Alternatively,in some embodiments a portion of the enclosure may be deformable to achamfer or other space may be defined in the enclosure to permit thestem to angularly deflect as shown. That is, the head 848 may deflect inthe direction of the applied force F and may move vertically relative tothe button aperture 872 in a first direction D1. As the head 848 movesdownward, the stem 850 may compress a bottom of the sealing element 154and pivots at pivot point 854. The bottom end 853 of the stem 850 andtrackable element 146 then move upwards towards the sensor sidewall 860of the sensor cavity 816 in a second direction D2. Movement of thebottom end 853 of the stem 850 in the second direction D2 causes thesidewall 858 of the stem 850 to compress the tip 158, collapsing thedome 214. As the dome collapses, the switch sensor 160 registers aninput and the dome provides feedback to the user regarding activation ofthe switch sensor 160.

In some embodiments, a middle portion of the stem may activate theswitch sensor. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of another example ofthe button 810 illustrated in FIG. 13A. With reference to FIG. 14, inthis embodiment, the switch cavity 816 may be defined towards anexterior of the enclosure 814 and may be aligned with a middle portion,rather than a bottom end, of the stem. Additionally, the seal cavity 816may be somewhat enclosed from the cavity 812 when the stem 850 isreceived into the button aperture 872. In other words, the stem 850 mayform a lid or cover for the switch cavity 816.

Additionally, the annular recess 852 may be defined towards the bottomend of the stem 850. In particular, when the stem 850 is positionedwithin the button aperture 872, the sealing member 154 may be positionedbetween the cavity 812 and the seal cavity 816.

With continued reference to FIG. 14, a sensing seal 835 may bepositioned around the trackable element 146 and the button aperture 872.In this manner, the sensing seal 835 may substantially seal the cavity812 from the button aperture 872 to prevent fluids, debris, and the likefrom entering into the cavity 812 from the button aperture 872.Depending on the type of sensing element 142 and trackable element 146,the sensing seal 835 may be positioned between the trackable element 146and the sensing element 142. However, in other embodiments, the sensingseal 835 may be positioned around both the sensing element and thetrackable element.

In operation, with reference to FIG. 14, as a user applies a force F tothe sidewall 845 of the head 848, the head 848 may move in the firstdirection D1 corresponding to the direction of the input force F. Theback end 853 of the stem 850 may move upwards, but the middle portion orthe belly of the stem 850 may move in the direction D1 with the head 848due to the pivot point 854 being positioned towards the back end 853 thestem 850. In other words, as the pivot point 854 is located towards theend 853 of the stem 850, the middle portion of the stem 850 moves in thesame direction D1 as the force F. The compressibility of the sealingmember 154 provides a pivot point for the stem 850, to allow the stem850 to move within the constraints of the button aperture 872 in orderto activate the switch sensor 160.

With reference to FIG. 13B and 14, depending on the location of thepivot point 854, which may be determined by the location of the sealingmember 154, the switch sensor 160 may be located at a number ofdifferent locations relative to the stem 850 and may be activated byforces applied in a variety of directions. As such, the location of theswitch sensor may be varied as desired.

Generally, the sensor may output a signal in response to motion of thestem 850 and/or head. The signal may vary depending on the type ofmotion. For example, a rotational motion may cause a first signaloutput, while a lateral motion causes a second signal output and anangular motion causes a third signal output. The processor may receivethe signal or data based on the signal, and may use the signal (orrelated data) to determine the input type and execute or initiate anaction based on the input type, as appropriate. Further, in someembodiments, different sensors may sense different types of motion, suchthat multiple sensors may be used to sense multiple motions.

In some embodiments, the button assembly may further include a motorcoupled to the input button that may provide feedback to a user as wellas sense a user input to the button. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional viewof the input button including a motor. With reference to FIG. 15, theinput button 810 may be substantially similar to the input button 810illustrated in FIG. 13A, but may include a motor 880 attached to thestem 850. The motor 880 includes a drive shaft 882 and is configured todetect motion of a trackable element 846, as well as cause motion of thetrackable element, via movement of the drive shaft 882. The motor 880may be, for example, a rotary or linear vibrating motor that is coupledto the stem 850. The drive shaft 882 couples to the stem 850 via thetrackable element 846. For example, the trackable element may be securedthe bottom surface of the stem 850 and then connects to the drive shaft882.

In a first mode, the motor 880 may act as a sensing element and detectrotational user input to the input button 810. In embodiments where themotor 880 is a rotary motor, as a user provides a rotational input R tothe head 848, the head 848 and stem 850 may rotate correspondingly. Asthe stem 850 rotates, the trackable element 846 rotates, rotating thedrive shaft 882. As the drive shaft 882 rotates, the motor 880 sensesthe movement and provides a signal to the processing element 124. Inembodiments where the motor 880 is a linear motor, as a user provides alinear input L to the head 848, e.g., by pushing the head 848 lateraltowards the enclosure 814, the stem 850 moves laterally within thebutton aperture 872 and the trackable element 846 moves the drive shaft882 in the lateral direction. The movement of the drive shaft 882 in thelateral direction may be detected by the motor 880, which creates asignal to provide to the processing element 124.

In a second mode, the motor 880 may be used to provide feedback to theuser. For example, in instances where the motor 880 is a rotary motor,the drive shaft 882 may rotate the trackable element 846, which in turnrotates the stem 850 and head 848. The rotational movement of the head848 may be used to provide a visual indication, as well as a tactileindication (when the user is touching the head 848) to the userregarding the selection of a particular input, a state of the device, orthe other parameter where feedback may be desired. In an embodimentwhere the motor 880 is a linear motor, the drive shaft 882 may move thestem 850 linearly within the button aperture 872 to provide feedback tothe user.

Additionally, the motor 880 may be used to provide dynamic feedback tothe user. For example, the motor 880 may be configured to rotate orotherwise move the stem 850 that is used to provide a “tick” or detentfeel, without the requirement for a mechanical detent. As an example, auser may rotate the input button 810 to scroll through a list ofselectable items presented on the display 116. As the user passes aselectable item, the motor 880 may move the stem 850 to provide a clickor tick feel. Additionally, the motor 880 may selectively increase ordecrease a force required to rotate or move the input button. Forexample, the motor 880 may exert a force in the opposite direction ofthe user input force, and the user may be required to overcome the forceexerted by the motor 880 in order to rotate the input button 810. Asanother example, motor 880 may be used provide a hard stop to limit therotation of the head 848. The hard stop may be set at a particularrotational distance or may be based on a list of selectable items,presented items, or the like. As with the feedback example, to providethe hard stop, the motor 880 exerts a force on the stem 850 in theopposite direction of the user applied force, and the force may besufficiently high to prevent the user from overcoming the force or maybe set to indicate the user the location of the hard stop. As yetanother example, the motor 880 may provide a “bounce back” or “rubberband” feedback for certain inputs. In this example, as the user reachesthe end of a selectable list, the motor may rotate the stem 850 in theopposite direction of the user applied force, which may cause the head848 to appear to bounce backwards off of the end of the list presentedon the display 116.

Additionally or alternatively, the wearable device may include amechanical detent that may be used to provide feedback to the user asthe user provides input to the input button 810. In this example, themechanical detent may be defined on the inner sidewall of the buttonaperture 872 and may provide feedback to a user and/or may be used as astop for limiting rotation of the stem 850. The detent may be used inconjunction with the motor 880 or separate therefrom.

In some embodiments, the motor 880 may include a clutch that selectivelyengages and disengages the stem 850 and the motor. In these embodiments,the motor 880 may be disengaged to allow a user to provide a manualinput without feedback and then may be engaged to provide feedback,prevent user rotation of the stem 850, or the like.

In some embodiments, the input button may include one or more sensorspositioned within the head or other portion of the input button that maybe used to detect user input thereto. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional viewof the input button including a input sensor connected to the head. Withreference to FIG. 16, in this embodiment, the input button 910 mayinclude a head 948 having a face 947 and a stem 950 extending from aback portion of the head 948. The head 948 may define a sensor cavity932 that receives an input sensor 930. The sensor cavity 932 may beconfigured to have approximately the same dimensions as the input sensor930 or may be larger or smaller than the input sensor 930. In someembodiments, the sensor cavity 932 may contain other components, such asa communication component or processing element.

The input sensor 930 may be substantially any type of sensor that maydetect one or more parameters. As some non-limiting examples, the sensor930 may be a microphone, accelerometer, or gyroscope, and may be used todetect user input to the head 948 and/or stem 950. As one example, theinput sensor 930 may be an accelerometer and as the user provides input,such as a lateral or rotational force of the input button 910, theaccelerometer may detect the change in acceleration, which may be usedby the processing element 124 to determine the user input force to thebutton. Continuing with this example, if the user provides a “tap” orother input to the face 947 or other area of the head 948, theaccelerometer may be configured to detect the movement due to the forcein order to detect the user input force.

In another example, the input sensor 930 may be a microphone. FIG. 17 isa cross-sectional view of the input button 910. In this example, one ormore apertures 945 may be defined through the face 947 of the head 948.The apertures 945 may be in fluid communication with the sensor cavity932 such that sound waves may travel through the face 947 to reach thesensor 930 positioned within the sensor cavity 932. In this example, theinput sensor 930 may detect user input, such as taps, clicks, or presseson the head 948 may detecting the sounds created by the engagement of auser's finger with the head 948. In particular, as the user presses hisor her finger against the head 948, the force may create one or moresound waves that may travel through the apertures 945 in the face 947 toreach the sensor 930. In these embodiments the head 948 may form aninput port to receive use inputs and may rotate or may not rotate. Inother words, the head may be secured in position or may be allowed torotate to provide the user with haptic feedback and tactile sensation ashe or her provides input to the input button.

It should be noted that although the head 948 is shown in FIG. 17 has aplurality of apertures defined therethrough, in some embodiments theapertures may be omitted. For example, the head 948 may be created outof a material that may not dampen sound waves, e.g., a material that maytransmit sound waves therethrough. Additionally or alternatively, theinput sensor 930 may be positioned against the face 947 and the face 947may have a sufficiently thin thickness so as to allow sound waves totravel therethrough.

Although the input sensor 930 and sensor cavity 932 have been discussedas being in the head 948, in some embodiments, the input sensor andsensor cavity may be positioned in the sidewalls of the head 948. Inthese embodiments, the sidewalls may include one or more apertures toallow sound waves to travel through.

The foregoing description has broad application. For example, whileexamples disclosed herein may focus on a wearable electronic device, itshould be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equallyapply to substantially any other type of electronic device. Similarly,although the input button may be discussed with respect to a crown for awatch, the devices and techniques disclosed herein are equallyapplicable to other types of input button structures. Accordingly, thediscussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is notintended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including theclaims, is limited to these examples.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wearable electronic device, comprising:an enclosure having an aperture defined therethrough; an input buttonhaving a stem that extends into the aperture and defines an axisextending along a length of the stem; an optical sensor positioned alonga side of the stem and configured to sense an optical characteristic ofthe stem to detect a rotation of the input button about the axis; aswitch including a collapsible dome positioned proximate an end of thestem and configured to detect a translation of the input button alongthe axis; and an O-ring positioned around the stem and within theaperture, the O-ring maintaining contact with an interior surface of theaperture during the rotation of the input button and the translation ofthe input button.
 2. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a display positioned at least partially within the enclosureand having a touch sensor configured to detect touch input; and aprocessing element operatively coupled to the display and configured to:modify a graphical output of the display in a first manner in responseto the rotation of the input button; modify the graphical output of thedisplay in a second manner in response to the translation of the inputbutton; and modify the graphical output of the display in a third mannerin response to the touch input.
 3. The wearable electronic device ofclaim 2, wherein: modifying the graphical output of the display in thefirst manner includes scrolling a list of items displayed on thedisplay; and modifying the graphical output of the display in the secondmanner includes selecting an item of the list of items.
 4. The wearableelectronic device of claim 3, wherein: the optical sensor is configuredto detect a direction of the rotation and a speed of the rotation; andmodifying the graphical output of the display in the first manner is inaccordance with the direction and the speed of the rotation.
 5. Thewearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the stem defines agroove along a surface of the stem and the O-ring is positionedpartially within the groove; and the O-ring is configured to moverelative to the aperture in response to the translation of the inputbutton.
 6. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the endof the stem is configured to compress the collapsible dome in responseto the translation of the input button; and the collapsible dome isconfigured to produce a tactile output in response to the compression.7. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the optical sensoris configured to detect the rotation of the input button using lightreflected from a surface of the stem.
 8. The wearable electronic deviceof claim 7, wherein the optical sensor detects trackable features formedon the surface of the stem using the reflected light.
 9. A watch,comprising: an enclosure having an aperture formed in a sidewall of theenclosure; an input button having a stem that extends into the aperture;a sealing element positioned around the stem and forming a seal betweenthe enclosure and the stem; an optical sensor configured to sense anoptical characteristic of the stem to detect a rotation of the inputbutton about a longitudinal axis of the stem; and a switch including acollapsible dome and configured to detect a translation of the inputbutton toward the enclosure, wherein: the sealing element is configuredto move within the aperture and maintain the seal during both thetranslation of the input button and the rotation of the input button.10. The watch of claim 9, further comprising: a display positioned atleast partially within the enclosure and having a touch sensorconfigured to detect touch input; a processing element operativelycoupled to the display and configured to: modify a graphical output ofthe display in response to the rotation of the input button; modify thegraphical output of the display in response to the translation of theinput button; and modify the graphical output of the display in responseto the touch input.
 11. The watch of claim 9, further comprising: aprocessing element configured to: perform a first function in responseto the rotation of the input button; and perform a second, differentfunction in response to the translation of the input button.
 12. Thewatch of claim 11, further comprising: a display operatively coupled tothe processing element; wherein: the first function includes causing alist of items to scroll across the display in accordance with adirection of the rotation of the input button; and the second functionincludes selecting one of the list of items in accordance with thetranslation of the input button toward the enclosure.
 13. The watch ofclaim 12, wherein: the optical sensor is further configured to detect aspeed of the rotation; and a scrolling speed of the scrolling varies inaccordance with the speed of the rotation of the input button.
 14. Thewatch of claim 9, wherein the switch comprises: an electronic contactconnected to the collapsible dome, wherein the translation of the inputbutton causes a compression of the collapsible dome to activate theelectronic contact.
 15. The watch of claim 9, wherein the optical sensoris configured to detect the rotation of the input button using lightreflected from the stem.
 16. The watch of claim 9, wherein the inputbutton comprises: a head coupled to a first end of the stem; and theswitch is positioned proximate to a second end of the stem.
 17. Awearable electronic device, comprising: an enclosure defining anaperture and an opening; a display at least partially received withinthe opening; an input button extending from an outside of the enclosure,through the aperture, and into an inside of the enclosure; an opticalsensing element within the enclosure and configured to sense a surfaceof the input button; a switch having a collapsible dome positionedproximate to an end of the input button; and a sealing elementpositioned within the aperture and around a portion of the input button,wherein: the optical sensing element is operable to track a rotation ofthe input button about an axis by sensing the surface of the inputbutton; the switch is operable to detect a translation of the inputbutton along the axis; and the sealing element is configured to maintaina seal between the input button and the enclosure during both therotation of the input button and the translation of the input button.18. The wearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein: the displayincludes a touch sensor configured to detect touch input; and thewearable electronic device further comprises a processing elementoperatively coupled to the display and configured to: modify a graphicaloutput of the display in response to the rotation of the input button;modify the graphical output of the display in response to thetranslation of the input button; and modify the graphical output of thedisplay in response to the touch input.
 19. The wearable electronicdevice of claim 17, wherein the optical sensing element is operable todetect a direction and a speed of the rotation of the input button. 20.The wearable electronic device of claim 19, wherein a graphical outputof the display is varied in accordance with the direction and the speedof the rotation of the input button.